The main mineral resources of the world

Mineral resources are usually called the whole variety of minerals used by mankind for their needs. Hydrocarbons, chemical raw materials, metals, precious stones, building materials are what people extract from the bowels of the planet. Reserves of mineral resources in the world are estimated in trillions of tons, but they are not unlimited. Their rational use is the key to the further prosperity of our civilization.

Classification

Mineral raw materials are divided into five classes:

• Metals from iron and ferroalloys.
• Non-ferrous metals.
• Precious metals.
• Industrial minerals.
• Mineral fuel.

Also, the world's mineral resources are divided into conditionally renewable and non-renewable. The first group includes elements of organic origin: oil, coal, methane, etc. For their formation, specific natural conditions and millions of years are required. When mining metals and minerals (they belong to the second group), their volume decreases irreversibly.

Geography of mineral resources of the world

Mineral raw materials are distributed extremely unevenly in the regions and are determined by the geological structure of the area. Hydrocarbons gravitate toward sedimentary covers of ancient continents. Coal occupies the largest volume (60%), however, its use today is limited by technological and environmental factors. Huge reserves of this raw material are explored on all continents, but most coal-bearing basins are not developed. Large active deposits are located in the USA, Russia, China, Australia, India, Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.

Oil and gas mineral resources of the world make up only 27% of the total volume, but with their help 57% of all energy is generated. Powerful oil and gas fields were formed in Venezuela, Russia (Volga region, Western Siberia), the USA (Texas and the Mississippi basin), Nigeria, Canada, in the Persian Gulf, North Africa, and the Caspian basin.

Metal ores are concentrated in ancient foci of volcanic activity and in areas of active mountain formation. However, the presence of mountains does not mean the presence of rich deposits. For example, mountains occupy a third of Europe, however, there are not many significant deposits of metal ores, most have already been developed and have no economic value. On the contrary, the Kursk magnetic anomaly is located in the heart of the East European Plain, however, iron reserves are significant. Ore layers go to a depth of many kilometers.

Iron

The mineral resources of the world are diverse, but among them the most important is iron. It is the sixth largest element in the universe and the most common refractory element. It is estimated that the Earth has iron in the amount of 5% of its weight. Iron ore is the basis for the production of cast iron and steel, various items used in automobiles, agricultural machinery, telecommunications equipment, weapons, bridges, dams, tunnels, etc.

Although iron is considered one of the most common elements on earth, deposits that are economically viable for development are unevenly distributed. The United States, Brazil, India, China, and Canada possess the richest reserves. Some large deposits are located in Kazakhstan, Sweden, Ukraine, France, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Australia, Liberia, South Africa, Malaysia, and countries in North Africa. Russia has enough reserves of this valuable ore both for its own economy and for export. Large deposits are concentrated in Magnitogorsk and other regions of the Urals, on the Kola Peninsula and neighboring Karelia, in the KMA region, in Siberia.

Non-ferrous metals

Mineral resources of the countries of the world are studied quite well. Satellite images and modern drilling methods have revealed the main areas of concentration of non-ferrous metal ores.

An important element is copper. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and pliable, freshly applied surface has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, a building material and an integral part of various metal alloys. Copper has been used for 10,000 years and is the first metal discovered by mankind.

It does not suffer from severe corrosion, is ductile and mixes freely with other metals. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat. The main consumers of copper are the electrical, defense, energy, automotive industries. 90% of the reserves of this metal are concentrated in five regions of the world :

• South Africa.
• Chile.
• Western United States.
• Kazakhstan.
• Canada (Sudbury region).

Noble (precious) metals

The mineral resources of the world have different values. The most expensive of metals (apart from rare earths) are the so-called noble ones: platinum, gold, silver. Gold is a dense, soft and malleable metal with a bright yellow color and luster. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, solid under standard conditions. Therefore, metal is often found in a free elemental (natural) form, in the form of nuggets or grains in rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits. Less common in minerals. Previously, the bulk was nuggets that prospectors were looking for. Now most of the gold is mined in special factories that process rock with a high content of valuable raw materials.

China, Australia, USA, South Africa are the largest gold producers on the planet. And the Witwatersrand mine is the world's leading gold mining center. Also, large production areas include: Rand Fields, Kimberly, Livingston, Cape of Good Hope, Natal and others. Canada is also a significant producer of gold. In Russia, the territories of the Ural Mountains, Baikal and Transbaikalia, the Lensky basin are distinguished. Reserves of the Kolyma region are significantly depleted. Much gold is mined in the USA (Alaska, California, the Rocky Mountains region), Australia (Kalgoorlie, Yampi, Mount Morgan), India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh).

Mineral resources of the world: table

Valuable mineral resources include about 200 kinds of metals, hydrocarbons, minerals, technical and building materials. Consider the main types of raw materials and the leading countries for their production:

Resource extraction should be carried out “with an eye to the future”. Many countries, having developed their deposits, faced with the so-called resource hunger. To maintain the economy, they are forced to export raw materials. The rational use of natural resources is the key to long-term prosperity.